Pistons Owner Noncommittal To Van Gundy's Future With Team

March 12, 2018

Van Gundy at this point in time is nearing the end of the fourth year of a five-year, $35M deal

Photo: NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Pistons Owner Tom Gores on Friday "was noncommittal" on the future of team President of Basketball Operations and coach Stan Van Gundy beyond this season, as he "made it clear that this underachieving season is unacceptable," according to Vince Ellis of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The Pistons are ninth in the Eastern Conference at 30-36, and Gores said, “We haven’t won enough, but I can tell you this team works really hard and Stan works really hard. He’s been here four years, dedicating his whole life. I’m not giving up on Stan, I’m not giving up on this team.” Gores said that he "would discuss the situation with Van Gundy when the season is over" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/10). Van Gundy said, "I have no apprehension at all. If I’m not here next year, I’m not chasing jobs anywhere else.” Ellis notes Van Gundy is "nearing the end of the fourth year" of a five-year, $35M deal, and it is "not clear if he will serve out the entire contract" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/10). In Detroit, Bob Wojnowski asked, "Would Gores outright fire Van Gundy?" Wojnowski: "I’m not sure it’ll come to that. When the two meet, my guess is, it’ll be amicable, and might end up being mutual." Gores could "remove one of Van Gundy’s dual roles -- president of basketball operations -- and perhaps give him the last season of his contract solely to coach." But at 58, Van Gundy "might prefer to walk away than accept a new arrangement" (DETROIT NEWS, 3/11).